care-teeth
Diseases Process
Instructed patient how can I prevent infections. Wash your hands. Always wash your hands before and after you care for your trach. Clean your trach equipment as directed. Use clean or sterile trach care methods to clean your equipment. Clean the area around your trach as directed. The area around your trach is called the stoma. Use a trach cover as directed. Do not use a trach cover unless your healthcare provider says it is okay. A trach cover sits over the opening to your trach tube. It prevents dirt and other foreign bodies from getting into your airway.
Instructed what can you do to manage shortness of breath (SOB) share your feelings shortness of breath can make you feel worried and anxious. Share your feelings with family, friends and your health care team. Use abdominal breathing when walking up slopes, climbing stairs or standing up. To climb stairs: stand close to the stairs with one hand on the railing beside you. Breathe in as you lift your leg up. Breathe out as you place your leg on the step and raise yourself up. Change the way you eat chew your food slowly, taking breaks in between bites. Try smaller meals more often. If you are having trouble eating, ask your health care team about trying nutrition drinks.
Instructed to contact physician inmediately if uncontrolled bleeding or excruciating pain occurs at wound site.
Instructed in signs and symptoms of complications and/or deterioration of wound status such as temperature above 100 grade, increase redness, drainage, edema, increase pain, increase size of wound.
Instructed in management and control such as diet as prescribed by MD, adequate hydration 1000-2000cc 24 hours if not contraindicated, importance of high protein (meat, legumes, eggs, daily), iron and vitamin supplements if indicated.
Instructed in management and control of wound through activity such as frequent rest periods, no overexertion, no lifting, bending or stooping. Passive and active exercises to increase vascular tone. Elevate affected extremity to promote venous return. Give pain medication, if prescribed, 30 minutes prior to any activity.
Instructed in factors that contribute to poor skin integrity such as immobilization, poor circulation, moisture, heat, anemia, shearing forces, poor nutritional status.
Instructed in visiting an ophthalmologist, an MD who specializes in eye care inmediately if there are any of these symptoms of eye damage: blurred or double vision, narrowed field of vision, seeing dark spots, feeling of pressure or pain in the eyes and difficulty seeing in dim light.
Instructed in measures important in foot care of the diabetic: inspect feet dialy, report any foot problems to podiatrist or physician, wash feet dialy with warm soap and water and pat dry; especially between toes.
Instructed to keep pressure off wound area to promote circulation which is essential to healing.
